Scaffolding



April: 25 1933. 1. A. HERSHEY 1,905,626

fili-:flw @magi/Wyk April 25, 1933. .1. A, HERSHEY SCAFFOLDING Filed Oct. l, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 SWW/Mio@ April 25, 1933. .L A. HERSHEY S GAFFOLDI NG Filed Oct. 1, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 25, 1933. J. A. HERSHEY 1,905,625

SCAFFOLDING l Filed oct. 1, 1931 4 sheets-sheet 4 i i Bild? 54- l' if j e j l A j gjm/vento@ Patented Apr. 25, 1933 UNITED/STATES JOHN A. ,HERSHEY, OF CHERRYVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA Y sou-FOLDING Application filed october- 1, 1931. `serial'imlfseasi' My invention relates to the'art of scaffolding such as Ais frequently-used by carpenters,

house painters, brick masons, wall cleaners, g

tinners, plaster-ers, etc., and it particularly has for an objectto provide a scaffold that Y can .be easily carried in collapsed condition '.onxa truclr froml place toplace and unloaded and set up for use ina few moments.

Further, the inventionhas for an object to i153 provide an extensible ladder having telescopic posts on which ismounted a vertically adjustable platform.

Further, the invention ha'sforl an obj ect vto provide 'mechanism' whereby the platform i5 kmay be moved up or down to desired height and held there. 'i y Further, it is an object to provide means operable from the platform for :extending and retracting the telescopic; sections'of the 2:0 ladders Vposts by theraising and'lowering respectively of the platformfwhen'connected to the sections ofthe posts tof'be moved.l

' Further, it is an object to provide a-ladder whose posts: orv standards are supported on l2-5 wheels and lareheld in` upright position by suitable braces and guide wheels, Vall 2in', a manner so that the ladder may be moved from place to lplace while in itsassenibled and operative condition,

kj Further, it is an object to provide a scaffold-ladderof all metal construction which nevertheless may be comparatively light in weight while possessing' maximum' strength 9; of parts.` i Y l Y "a Further, it isan object of the invention to provide` platform Vmoving and post adjusting mechanism which includes aj double overreach pawl-jaclz and a safety latch, the latter :45 servingto hold the platform and sections of posts from dropping While being extended. f

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out hereinafter.

To'the attainment ofthe aforesaid objects 111' and ends, the invention still'furtlier resides in- Ithe 'novel 'details of constructiomcombi- Y nation and arrange'mentfof parts, ally of which will be HrStfullyv described the, following detailed description, then be particularly 50 pointed outin the :appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:V

a Figure. l is a front elevation of my invention. v l Figure 2 is a `side* elevation of thev samei,y 55 Figure 3 is a plan view thereof. i Figure l'iis an enlarged detail elevation'and part section showingthe extending andretracting mechanism of the posts andthe platform adjusting mechanism -in'positionY for G0 raising the ,platform and extending the Vsections of theposts. f i A A. l

Figure isa viewsimilar to Figure l show- 'ing the' position of the parts when 'the platform is to be lowered;l e v Figure 6 is a detail section on the line 6-,6 OfFigureA-l; "i I' Figure 7is a horizontal sectionon the line 'Z-Yof Figure 4. A f l Figure 8 is an `enlarged detail view sh'ow- 70 ing :how the hinged base sub-framemay be yfolded up and secured to thepost.

Figure 9 is a horizontal section on the line Q9-'9ofFigure8- .l Figure 10 is a detail perspective view show- 75 ing one of thev brackets for holding the postsv from-'the wall. 'l

Figure lil is a detail perspective-view show;- ing how the temporary legs hold the postsin' position while assembling the parts. Y 80 In the drawings, in which likenumerals of referencedesignate like parts in all of the Ahgures, l represents the'lower or base section ofthe telescopic post, 2 the intermediate sectionand 3 ythe upper section thereof. Collars 85 fle are provided at the upper lends ofthe post sectionsv and carry set screws'5,ior clamp screws, to hold the sections against" moving with'respect to one another after having once 90 been adjusted. i l 'f In orderthatthe ladder may be .moved along the'building wall with little effort, I prefer to mount the posts on wheels 6 and provide a handle? by which theladder may 95 be pulled or'v pushed from'place to place. 8 e designates laterally extended feet which are hinged at 9 tothe post sectionsland are provided with crossedbraces 10,. the outer ends ofthe feet 8 carrying small wheels 171 100 the other post as at 16m, the bar 14 beingy preferably composed of extensible bars secured by one or more clamps 15 into a rigid member. n a Y 17 designates spacer brackets, one for each post, these brackets lextending at right angles to the posts toward the building and l, serving to space the posts a delinite distance from the building. These brackets 17 each have a bifurcated end providing-a lower inger 18 having a shoulder 19 andan upper linger 20 having a double T head 21, the pur- I pose of which will presently appear.

One facek of the posts, preferablythe outer face, i. e. the face located away from the building, is provided witha vertical series of perforations 22' while the opposite face is l provided with a continuous slot 23.

The carriage on which theplatformV and the jack mechanism is'mounted comprises a casting 24 into whichis fitted a `guard rail 25. The casting 24 also carries wheels 26 which run within the hollow posts, the casting projecting through thevertical slot 23 as best shown in Figure 7 of the drawings. VThe casting 24 has `a vertical lextension 27 on which is pivoted at 32 a pair of gripper levers `28 which are normally held spread apart to engage the 'inner side walls of the post sections, through the medium of a suitable spring 29. Ther grippers have recesses 3() to receiveflugs 31 located adjacent the lower extremities ofthe intermediate and upper telescopingsections of the posts.

33 is a gripper spreader crank shaft whose head 34 is located between the arms of the gripper to which the spring 29 is'fastened. When thehead 34 is in one position the spring functions to hold the gripper 'with its re- Vcessesf30 over the lugs 31,`but when the crank shaft 33 is turned to turn the head 34 the arms having the spring Yattached will. be spread apart and consequently the recesses 30 and lugs 31 will berdisengaged v`to leave thegrippers free from the post sections. In order to hold the spreader head in the grip.- per releasing positionthe gripper'arms may have V-shaped notches 35 inwhich the corners of the spreader head-may rest.

36 designates upright bars or plates secured at 37 tothe castingv 24 and extending downwardly paralleling the po`sts,"the bars isafety pawl 43 which may be released, however, by manipulating a releasing lever 44 Vwhich is connected to the pawl by a suitable connecting rod 45 so that when `the user,

standing on the platform 46, desires to re-4 lease the pawl 43 all he need do -is to put his foot on the release lever 44 and press it down. L The main jack lever 47 is fulcrumed at 48 between the bars, 36 and a suitable distance above the platform 46. The lever 47 carries two pawls, the lower o'ne 49 of which is fulf Acrumed at 51 on the inner end of the lever 47 andis held to engage inthe apertures 22 of the post under normal conditions by means of a suitable pressing spring 50.

The pawl 49 may, however, be released from yits engagement with the `post and held inthe released position lby -means of areleasing mechanism which consists'of a pawlrelease-control slide 52 slidably mounted on the lever 47 and projecting to either side of its fulcrum. l The slide 52 carries the throwout spring 53`which engages the heel o'f the pawl 49 when the slide 'is moved 4toward the .pawl a distance sufiicient to cause vthe force of the spring 53 to overcomeft'hat of the spring 50. This movement of the slide is accomplished by means of a slide actuating bell crank 54 fulcrumedv at 55 on the outer portion of the'lower ack lever 47 and having a pinand slot connection 56 with the slide. Vhen the lever 54 is pressed downwardly and held locked vto the lever .47 by the latching lug 64 engaging under the lever 47, the slide 52 will be held in its forward position, thus placing the spring 53 under suliicieznt tension to overcome that of the spring l50. The upper paw/157 is fulcrum'ed at 5,5 Ato the'lever 47 'and projects over the slide '52 and pawl 49 to engage in an aperture 22 above that lengaged by the pawl 49. The upper pawl 57 'is held inv its engaged position by a pressing spring 58. VVA :release dog 59 is pivoted between the bars 36 beneath the pawl L57 to engage its underside at times, the Vrelease dogbein'g pivotedf-atO and `provided with a pressing spring 61 which Vdoes not function at all times but -only when its free 'end 62 is engaged by thegprojection'63 on the 'slide 52 ,when that projection is vmoved forwardly during therocking ofthe lever 47. v

The'upper extremities of'theepair of posts are cross braced by a horizontal bar .65 detachably secured to the upper ends ofthe 2130 upper post sections by means` of suitable winged screws 16,2 or .their equivalents.

- 66 designates foot cups in which the wheels 6 maybe set to prevent movementof the ladder when desired. Thesecups maybe of anysuitable construction for the purpose.

,' .67 designates auxiliary feet, the purpose vof which is to assist in the assembling of the laddeiny These feet are pivoted at 68.to the lower sections of the posts and include an angle plate 69 and a pair cfv scissors-like' portions which are pivoted tothe langle plate as at 71 and have stops 72 to engagethe sides of the angle plate 69 when the members 70 are spread apart. lVhen the members 70 are spreadapart and swung out from the base section 1 of the post, they may be engaged with the ground to hold the post inclined to a suitable angle to the horizontal, leaving the side. of the ladder which is to face the house uppermost so that thecarriage and jack mechanism may be placed in position .withease When not in usel the auxiliary feet are held folded against the post by a suitable clamp Vdevice 73 which also serves to hold the laterally extending feet 8` folded up against the post when the parts arev collapsed for ship.- ment. v

Of course, the sections of the posts may be placed in their more or less extended .position by hand without the use of the jack mechanism during the assembling of the structure, but where adjustmentsare to be made after the ladderis in position for use the jack mechanism is especially useful. l The spacer Vbrackets 17 may be located at any height desired since it is only vnecessary to raise up on the free ends of these brackets to bring the fingers 18 out of the holesk 22 when the brackets may be raised and lowered and those fingers brought into engagement `with otherholes.

It'will be seen that the brackets 17 coo-perate with lthe laterally extended 4feet 8, etc., to maintain the posts of the ladder vertical and at all times parallel to the buildingbeing worked on, and in consequence thereof` the platform is maintained at a horizontal position.

i' When it is desired to raise and lower the platform without eecting the extensibility of the post sections, the operator turns the crank shaft4 33 to release the grippers and hold them released. Then by `working .the lever 47 up and down with the lever 54 released the platform maybe raised to the lposition desired. lVhen thelever 54 is elevated,-as shown in Figure 4, the spring 50 is enabled to exert itsforce on the pawl 49 continuously tending to hold that pawl in contact with the member 1V so that it will enter the openings 22 in climbing up the member 1. Also, the pawl 57 will continuously tend to engage the member 1 to enter the openings 22. Hence as 47 is rocked uppawl 49 will hang-inian opening`22 whilepawl 57 withdraws from the opening in Vwhich yit isshown and enters the next opening above. Then, on the downward stroke of the lever 47 pawl 57 willhang-in its opening and pawl 49 Vwill rise to the opening in which pawl 57 was previously hooked. yPawl 43 acts as a safety or back-check pawl duringvthis raising movement.V To lower the platform the lever 54 is pressed down and latched to the lever 47 and then-by'putting the foot on the lever 44 and releasing the check pawl 43 and rocking the lever 47, the platform may be lowered step by step. When the lever 54 is depressed and held there,'as shown in Figure 5, it will -cause the slide 52 to push the spring 53 against the short end of the pawl 49 to overcome the force of the spring 50 and hold the pawl 49 at a fixed angle to the lever 47, as shown in Figure 5. Also, the member 63 pressing against the spring 62, puts it under tension and causes pawl 59 to tend torrelease pawl 57 Now, as soon as the lever 47Mis started upwardly the pawlv 49 will engage the notch 22 in Figure 5, just below the one where the pawl head is opposite, and the weight of the platform will then be carriedby the pawl 49.4 Carrying the weight of the platformv by the vpawl 49, the weight is relieved from pawl 57 which is withdrawn from the notch by the spring pawl59. The lever 47 is then lowered with the pawl 49 hooked in the lower notch 22 until ythe pawl 57 engages the. notch 22 just below theone with which it is shown in engagement in Figure 5. K When this occurs the weight of the platform willbe taken by the pawl 57 and the springA 53 will ensure the release of the pawl49. This operationis repeated, thus lowering the `platform one notch at a time. As soon as the platform shall have been lowered to the desired position the lever 44 is released and pawl '43 comes into action again as a safety device. When itis desired to use the jack-mechanism for extending and contracting the sections of the post the operator turns the crank shaft '5 3 .to release the grip-pers and enable it to en'- gage the lugs 81.0n the post sections. Thus, as the platform is raised and lowered in the manner hereinbefore described, the connected telescopic post sections, will be correspondingly raised and lowered, it being, of course,

kunderstood that before the raisingV and lowering movement takes place the'clamp members 5 are loosened.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is thought the construction, operation and advantages of the invention will be clear to thoseskilled in the art. I might say in conclusion that it will be evident from the foregoing that the scaffold is especiallyadapted for any surface painting jobs and stuccoing work, etc. Y due to its convenience and' the comfort afforded the users, also due to the time and labor saved since the scaffold can be unloaded fromL a `truck and assembled ready for work with but two points touching the building. The platform can be raised from the ground to the ytop for bricklayers,

for-cleaning bricks and walls, laying up outside of chimneys, house wall repairs as, repairs to weather .boarding,'etc., all without moving the ladder for the purpose of raising and lowering the platform. It is also especially adapted for tinners use in placing cornice work and starting in the roofvv at its lower edge. Since the scaffold Iis not fastened to the building it is especially useful in stucco work. Since it is located at the same distance from the building from topto bottom it can be used with ygreat facility by tinners for placing downspouts, gutters and gutter hooks. Y

While I have disclosed the preferred embodiment of my invention it is obvious-that changes :in the details of construction, design-and .form of parts may readily be made 'without vdeparting from the `spiritof the invention or the scope of the claims.;

What I claim is: f l. In scaffolding, a scaffolding comprising tubular telescoping-section posts,means to support said posts in vertical position, a platform, carriages yfor said platformwhich lare vertically movably mounted on vsaid posts, and mechanism on said carriages for raising and lowering said platform and extending and'retracting lsaid post sections, said posts having means cooperating with said mechanism for the purpose* stated.

2. In scaffolding, a scaffolding comprising tubular telescoping-sectionposts, means to support said posts in vertical position, a platforni, carriages for said platform which are vertically movably mounted on said posts, the sectionsof said posts having a vertical series of apertures vin one face and a vertical slot'in the face opposite thereto, said carriages having po-rtions extending through said slots into said posts, and-platform lifting and lowering jack mechanism .including an operating lever and pawl elements cooperatingwith said vertical series vof apertures. 3. In scaffolding, a scaffolding comprising tubular telescoping-section posts, means to support saidposts in verticalk position, a platform, carriages for said platform which are vertically movably mounted on said posts, the sections ofsaid posts having a yvertical series of-aperturesin one face and avertical slot inthe face opposite theretosaid carriages having portions vextending through said slots into said posts, platform lifting and lowering jack mechanism 'including an 'operating'lever and pawl elements cooperating with said :vertical series of apertures, check pawls carried bysaid carriages to en- `per operativeor.inoperative at will.`

gage in said apertures, vand -pawl releasing means for said check pawls. 4. In scaffolding and the like, a hollow post comprising a base section and a top and intermediate sections telescoping into one an'- other, a laterally extended foot located at the bottomof said base section, a brace for holding said foot to support said post in vertical position, a carriage vertically movably held on said post, means Vto raise and lower said carriage," and means `on said carriage to engage the telescoping sections of said post to project and retract the same accordingly as said carriage is raised or lowered. 5.1In scaffolding'V and the like, a V.hollow post comprising abase section and atop and intermediate sections telescoping into fone another, a laterally extended foot located at the bottom of said base section,-albrace for vholding said foot to support said post in vertical position, a carriage vertically ymovably held on said post, means to raise and lower said carriage, means on said carriage to engage the telescoping sections of said post to project and retract the same accordingly as said carriage is raised or lowered, said means comprising a :post section gripper on the car'- -riage and lugs on the'post sections to 'be-engaged by said gripper. f .6. In scaffolding and the like, a' hollow post comprising a base section and a top and vintermediate sections telescoping into one another,` a laterally extended foot located lat the .bottom of said :base section, a 'brace for holding said foot to support said post in vertical position, a carriage vertically movably. held on said post, means to-raise4 and lower saidcarriage, means onsaid carriage to engage the telescoping sections of .said postato Yproject and retract the same accordinglyas said carriage 'israised or lowered, said -means comprising a post section gripper on the carriage and lugson thepostsections to be engaged by said gripper, and` manually controlled means to render said V'grip- In scaffolding and the like, a hollow post'comprising a base section and-a top andV intermediate sections telescoping into one another, said telescoping sections having a wall provided with apertures, a laterally extended footllocated at Vthe bottom of said base section, a brace for holding said foot to support said post in vertical position, a carriage vertically movably held ony said post, mechanism to raise and lower said carriage, means on said 'carriage to engage the-telescoping sections of said post to project and retract the .same accordingly as said *carriage is raised or lowered, said mechanism comprising-a main jacklever, a pair of overreachingfpawls carried therebyto engage said apertures in a wall kof the telescoping post sections, and means to reverse the action of said pawls at will.

'Y '8. In scaffolding and the like, a hollow post comprising a base section and a top and intermediate sections telescoping into one another,said telescopingsections having a wall provided with apertures, a laterally extended Jfoot located at thebottom of said base section,a brace for 'holding said ootto support said post in vertical position, a carriage'vertically movably held on said post, mechanism t0 raise and lower said carriage, means on said carriage to engage the telescoping sections of said post to project and retract theksame accordingly as said carriage is raised or lowered, said means comprising apost section gripper on-the carriage .and lugs on the post sections .to be engaged by said gripper, said mechanism comprising a main jack lever, a Apair of over-reaching pawls carried thereby to engage said apertures in a wall of the telescoping post sections, and means to reverse the action of said pawls at will. f'

9. In scaffolding and thelike, ahollow post comprising a base section and a top'and intermediate sections telescopinginto one another, said telescoping sections having a wall provided' with apertures, a laterally eX- tended foot located at the bottom of said base section, a brace for holding said foot to support said post in vertical position, a carriage vertically cmovably held on said post, mechanism to raise and lower said carriage, means on said carriage to engage the telescoping sections of said post to project and retract the same accordingly as said carriage is raised or lowered, said means comprising a post section gripper on the carriage and lugs on the post sections'to be engaged by said gripper, manually controlled means to render said gripper operative or in-' operative at will, said mechanism comprising a main jack lever, apair of over-reaching pawls carried thereby to engage said apertures in a wall of the telescoping post sections, and means to reverse the action of said pawls at will.

10. In scaolding and the like, a hollow post comprising a basesection and a top and intermedi-ate sections telescoping into one another, said telescoping sections having a wall provided with apertures, a laterally eX- tended foot located at the bottom of said base section. a brace for holding said foot to support said post in vertical position, a carriage vertically movably held on said post, mechanism to raise and lower said carriage, means on said carriage to engage the telescoping sections of said post to project and retract the same -accordingly as said carriage is raised or lowered, said mechanism comprising a main jack lever, a lower pawl pivoted to the inner end thereof and engaging said apertures in a wall of said telescoping post sections, a spring to press said lowerpawl into engaging position, an upper pawl piving lever having provisions to ccoperate'with said lower pawl and said dog, Zand a slideshifting auxiliary lever`fulcrumed on said main loperating lever and cooperatively connectedtosaid slldefjf 11. in 'afgani-ding and thriikea heno-w post'comprising a base section and atop-'and intermediate sectionstelescoping into one another and havingaperture's, a laterally e'X- ktended Jfoot located at'thebot't'om' of said base section, Va brace forholding said foot to support said post in vertical position, af

carriage vertically movably `held on said post, meansfto raise Vandlower said carriage',

means on said carriageftoengagethe telescoping sections of said post to project and retract thesa'me accordingly as said `Ycarriage is raised or lowered, a back check pawlpivot# ed to said carriage to engage in the apertures ofV saidpost sections,- and ch e'ckJpawl-con-` trolling means-on said carriage. l 4 4 12;In scali'olding'andfthe like,a` hollow post comprising aj -base'section and a top 95 and intermediate sections telescoping into one another, saidtelescoping sections having a wall provided with apertures, a laterally extended foot located at`the bottom of said' base section, a brac'effor holding'said foot to support said post vertical position, acarriage verticallym'ovably heldon said'- post,

mechanism to raise andlower said carriage,

means on said vcarriage toengage the vtelescoping sections of said .post to project and retract the-same 'accordingly as said carriage is raisedy or lowered,"said `mechanism'f'comprising a main jack lever, a lower pawl'pivot'jed to the inner end thereof andengaging said aperturesin a wall' of ysaid' telescoping post sections, `a. spring to press said lower pawl into engaging position, an upper pawl'pivoted to said leveron the outer side of its fulcrum, aspringto press said upper pawl into engagement withfthe f iperturesVv in the walloi' the'telesc'oping post sections, an upper pawl throw-out'dog on said carr-iage,a pawl``controlling slide on said' main operating lever having provisions to cooperate with said lowerV pawl and. said dog, a slide shifting 11,420

means 'on said carriage.

1n apparatus of the-kinddescribecl-,-a f

post ycomprising a plurality onesting-tele? scoping-hollow postl sections, the inner -sections having internal Vslugs 4adjacent their lower ends, ascarriage'havmg upperand lower wheel sets located in said'hollow post, said post having a longitudinal slot through which said carriage projects, a jack mech'- `anisni on said carriage for moving it along said slot, and releasable means on said carriage to engage said post lugs for extending and retracting said nesting-post sections ac'- cordin'gly as said carriage is jacked in one direction;V or another, .Y

14.In apparatus of thevkindr described, a

post comprising'a plurality of nesting-telescoping-hollow post sections, the innersections, having internal lugs adjacent their lower ends,- a carriage having upper and lower wheel sets located in said hollow post, said post having a longitudinal slot through -whichsaid carriage projects, a jack mecha# -nism o ii said carriage for moving it alongisaid slot, releasable means on said carriage to engagerrsaid ,-post lugsj for extending and re- .tracting said nesting-post sections laccordingly as said carriage is jack-ed in one direction or another, and means to secure the post sections together rigidly after they have been extended. i s Y L 15.; In apparatus of the kind described,` a post comprising-a plurality of nesting-teletended relation7 said sections ,eachy liavingfa Y wall V,with a vertical series of apertures and having a vertically slotted wall, and a spacer bracket extendedthrough'the slot .and havan upper finger and a lower linger, the upper nger having ahead to engage the inner side of the slotted wall and the lower iinge'rhaving a'shouldered tip to engage the apertured wall of the post, and a 'foot extending lfrom the bottom of the post in a direction opposite tot'hat of said spacer bracket for the purposes described.l l'

- JOHN A; HERSHEY.

scoping-hollow post sections, the inner sections having internal lugs adj acentV their lower ends, a carriage 'having upper and'lower wheel sets located in saidihollow post, said post having a longitudinal slotthrough which said vcarriage projects, a jack mechanism on said lcarriage for moving it along said post', releasable' means on said carriage to engage saidpost lugs for extending and' retracting said nesting-post sections accordingly as said kcarriage is vjacked in one directionor another,

'and means to hold said post in vertical position, said means including a building engagingbracket adjustably heldin said post and project-ing through the slot thereof to space the post from'tliebuilding.

16.- In apparatus of the kind described, a

post comprising a pluralityf'of nesting-telef scoping-hollow 'post sections, the-inner secl tions having internal lugs adjacent their lower ends, a carriage having upper and 'lower wheel sets located in said hollow post,

said post having a longitudinal slot through .which said carriage projects, a jack mechanisrn on said carriage for moving it along said slot, releasable means on said carriage to engage said post lugs for extending and re# tracting said nesting-post sections accordingv ly as said carriage is jacked 'in one direction or another, means to secure the post sections together rigidly after they have been extended, and means tohold said post in vertical e position, said means including a b-uilding engaging bracket adjustably held in said post and' projecting through the slot thereof to space the post from the building;

17. In apparatus of tlieclass described, va

tubular telescopic sectional post with means i izo reo 

